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Friday, October 24, 2014

What America Thinks: Election Update – Week of 10/24/2014

Thirty-six U.S. Senate seats are on the ballot this November. Twenty-one of them are held by Democrats and 15 by Republicans.

The latest numbers out of Kansas are a concern for Republicans who need to pick up six seats to take control of the Senate without losing any of the seats they currently hold. But incumbent Republican Pat Roberts is still at risk, trailing independent Greg Orman by five points in Kansas, 49% to 44%, with less than two weeks to Election Day. Kansas remains Leans Independent in the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on the other hand, looks safer. He has crossed the 50% mark for the first time in Kentucky’s Senate race, now leading Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes 52% to 44%. Kentucky remains Leans Republican in the Senate Balance of Power rankings.

Meanwhile, Michigan, which was always a long shot for Republicans, now appears to be moving out of reach. Democratic Congressman Gary Peters now leads Republican Terri Lynn Land 51% to 42%. Michigan moves from a Toss-Up back to Leans Democrat in the Senate Balance of Power rankings.

Thirty-six governorships are at stake this November, as well, and Wisconsin’s governor’s race is as tight as ever. The latest survey finds Democratic challenger Mary Burke with 49% support to incumbent Republican Scott Walker’s 48%. Wisconsin remains a Toss-Up on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

In neighboring Illinois, it’s a nail biter going into the final stretch as well. Republican challenger Bruce Rauner and Incumbent Democratic governor Pat Quinn, are also neck-in-neck, 48% to 47%. Illinois, too, remains a Toss-Up on the Gubernatorial Scorecard.

At week’s end, the Rasmussen Senate Balance of Power Rankings show 15 races Safe Republican and nine Safe Democrat. Three lean Republican, two lean Democrat and one leans Independent. Six races are Toss-Ups.

For Rasmussen Reports, I’m Leon Sculti. Remember, if it’s in the news, it’s in our polls.